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“Kathryn Lockwood, the [LARK’s] violist who happens to also be married to Yousif Sheronick, said working with percussion has opened her up to a whole new world of musical composition. This sense of discovery, especially in the context of the string quartet, was intriguing to Lockwood as one of the unique aspects of the genre is the breadth — and depth — of material that exists for it.

“There is so much of a string-quartet repertoire out there,” she said. “You can spend your whole life [playing] and not even scratch the surface.”

However, the quartet decided to scratch a new surface with commissioning a percussion piece for a quintet — four strings and percussion — from composer Kenji Bunch, a violist and composer known for his alternative and groundbreaking compositions.” -The Daily Iowan, full feature.

LARK Quartet was featured by Emily Cohen of The Bowdoin Orient in advance of their masterclass and concert on Saturday at Bowdoin College:

“I’ve always been impressed with [the LARK Quartet],” said Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department [at Bowdoin College] Vineet Shende… Shende believes that the performance will offer an opportunity for the audience to discover a more modern perspective of the traditional string quartet, one that goes beyond music from the 18th or 19th centuries.” -Bowdoin Orient, full article here.

Lark Quartet’s live recording of Sapo Perapaskero’s Turceasca with Yousif Sheronick will again be broadcast on Performance Today hosted by Fred Child. Recorded at the BPL Chamber Players Concert Series in 2013 it will be heard in the first hour of the show on March 22nd, 2016.

Hosted by Fred Child, Performance Today is America’s most popular classical music radio program; the show is broadcast on over 290 public radio stations across the country and reaches approximately 1.4 million listeners each week.

Lark Quartet’s live recording of Sapo Perapaskero’s Turceasca with Yousif Sheronick, recorded at the BPL Chamber Players Concert Series in 2013, will be broadcast on Performance Today, November 12th, 2015.

Hosted by Fred Child, Performance Today is America’s most popular classical music radio program; the show is broadcast on over 290 public radio stations across the country and reaches approximately 1.4 million listeners each week.

In the Lark Quartet​’s latest blog, violinist Deborah Buck talks about her strategies to create a natural musical environment where she can reconnect to the essence of what being an artist truly is.

Disconnect to Reconnect
As we are all well under way with the beginning of our season, I am determined not to forget how amazing I felt after having spent time away from my technologically dependent life. This past summer, most of my time was spent outside in nature. My conversations and business dealings with colleagues and friends were almost always experienced eye to eye rather than by texting or emailing. I enjoyed daily runs, hikes, and walks on the dirt roads of Vermont, where I heard only the sounds of frogs, birds, gurgling creeks, rain, and yes – bugs! Meals were enjoyed together with others, were home-cooked, and always began with “a moment of silence.” My mind and body were free. I FELT GOOD! I noticed that my dreaming was much more vivid. My spirit was refreshed because I had the space and time to reconnect with nature. My life energy came back fully, and because of this, my artistic creativity became immediately accessible. Feeling this way made me practice my violin differently… read on

The Lark Quartet is thrilled for Astrid Schween – former cellist of the Lark for 25 years, who will soon be joining the Juilliard Quartet. This is truly wonderful news and all of us with Lark, Debbie, Basia, Carrie, and Kathryn, could not be happier for her.

Debbie and Kathryn worked with Astrid for five years in the Lark Quartet and have many wonderful memories of that time together. Astrid is not only an amazing cellist with a huge and beautiful warm sound, but an inspiring human being and colleague with whom to have shared a portion of our musical life. Her dedication and commitment to the highest level of string quartet performance was a driving force in our history together.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the specific parenting challenges we face as musicians. This was really on my mind as I observed Carrie on our most recent tour to CA. She was winding her way through the airport, cello strapped to her back, baby strapped to her front, pushing a stroller and lugging a bag besides. I couldn’t help thinking, “WOW…this is rather a unique sight!” Of course, my first thought was really, “I’d better help and grab a bag or a baby or something fast!”

With seven baby Larks between us, ranging in age from the oldest at twelve to the youngest at 4 months, the ladies of Lark are very familiar with balancing a busy performing schedule with family life….. read on

Lark Quartet violinist Deborah Buck shares why she is so excited for the upcoming tour in California.

Presented in part by the LA Music Guild, The Lark Quartet will perform in Fullerton, Brentwood, Long Beach and North Hollywood from April 18th – 22nd. The program will feature works by Copland, Haydn, Wolf and Dvorak. Lark is also conducting outreach events in the various locations throughout the tour.

As I put my 5 year old daughter to bed, with Perlman playing Kreisler softly on her stereo, I’m transported back to my childhood. I recall the time when I listened to music in bed and I’m reminded of that fantastic feeling of falling in love with music.

What a privilege it is to be able to listen to music filled with lyricism, virtuosity and pure beauty. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that life? Music makes us feel things and transports us to a realm of completeness. It elicits a huge range of responses and in doing so, keeps itself alive. As a young child falling in love with this kind of music, you can’t ever imagine a life without it.

Even when listening to Perlman playing Kreisler today, I still aspire to be able to play great music and to enjoy it for the rest of my life. This makes me wonder if those nights falling asleep to the old cassette player was my turning point and what led me to a career in music. Perhaps it is a series of nudges that turn us gently but with certainty.

I decided to ask the Lark girls some personal questions about their turning points and how they fell under the spell of music… read more

In Lark’s latest blog cellist Caroline Stinson talks about the balance of looking forward and backwards, and shares her excitement about celebrating the quartets 30th season.

We are all asked about our work. What are you up to? Where have you been playing? How is Lark? (okay that one happens to four select players!) Fortunately, when we love what we do, we are more than happy to talk about our work. But sometimes I find that talking about my work requires me to make a mental transition, trying to remember the last concert I played, when I’m focused on looking to the next …. read more

The Lark Quartet is delighted to read that An Exultation of Larks was named as one of 5 essential Jennifer Higdon recordings in a recent interview with her about her new opera and the importance of new music.